Meghan Markle paid stylish tribute to her star-studded 2018 wedding to Prince Harry at tonight’s ESPY Awards, wearing a white dress that bore a striking resemblance to her stunning Stella McCartney reception gown.
The 42-year-old Duchess of Sussex looked radiant at Thursday night’s awards ceremony, where she proudly watched her husband accept the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service, an honor that has sparked anger and controversy.
But despite skipping the awards red carpet amid the scandal, Harry, 39, and Meghan looked every inch the Hollywood couple as they attended the ceremony, beaming for the cameras as they got a shout-out from their good friend Serena Williams.
And while all eyes were on Harry and his award reception, royal watchers were also abuzz with another hot topic on social media: Meghan’s glamorous halter gown and its striking similarities to her 2018 reception dress.
To the naked eye, the two designs appear nearly identical: both feature a high-necked halter top and a long, flowing skirt. However, Meghan opted for a dress with draped fabric around the neck, while her Stella McCartney wedding dress was more fitted.
Meghan Markle glowed in bridal white as she attended the ESPY Awards with Prince Harry on Thursday night
The 42-year-old’s ESPYs dress was strikingly similar to the stunning Stella McCartney gown she wore to the couple’s 2018 wedding reception (pictured)
Although Meghan and Harry skipped the red carpet, they did pose for photos with their friend Serena Williams backstage at the event
Still, fans couldn’t help but draw comparisons between the two. One X user noted, “That style of dress is timeless on Meghan. It gives her a wedding reception vibe.”
Another added: ‘She loves monochrome colours! [The dress] reminds me of her second wedding dress.’
Unlike the couple’s wedding reception, where Meghan wore her hair in a loose, low bun with several wavy strands framing her face, the duchess opted to put her tanned shoulders on full display at the ESPYs by combing her locks back into a chic, low bun.
She kept her makeup natural, applying some peachy blush on her cheeks, several coats of mascara, and some smokey eyeshadow.
Meghan opted for a limited number of accessories, wearing a pair of diamond earrings, her beloved $7,350 gold Cartier Love Bracelet, her wedding and engagement rings, and a large gold and diamond ring on her other hand.
Instead of the white heels she wore on her wedding cake, the mother of two opted for a pair of black strappy heels, which showed off her light pink pedicure, which matched the neutral color she wore on her nails.
Although Meghan and Harry opted to skip the red carpet amid the fuss surrounding his award, the duchess did get the chance to show off her dress for the cameras after her husband took the stage, when she posed for photos with Serena backstage at the event.
The two women, who first met at a Super Bowl party in 2010, were spotted embracing before turning to take photos and even posing with Harry a few times.
Meghan and Harry got a shoutout from Serena at the start of the ceremony, with the tennis star joking about the couple’s miraculous ability to command attention
Before the ceremony began, Harry and Meghan were seen catching up with friends in the audience, with the Duchess leaning forward to give one of the attendees a big hug
The Duchess opted to put her tanned shoulders on full display at the ESPYs by combing her locks back into a chic low bun
Meghan’s ESPYs dress looked nearly identical to the Stella McCartney gown she wore when she danced the night away at the couple’s 2018 wedding reception (seen)
Meanwhile, photos have emerged at the awards ceremony showing Meghan sitting next to her husband, beaming with pride and with her hand on his knee.
When it was announced that Harry had won the award, Meghan rose from her chair to give her husband a standing ovation, proudly clapping as he walked onto the stage.
The award, named after the iconic NFL player who abandoned his lucrative career to join the military after 9/11 and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004, has sparked fierce controversy, with critics arguing that the honor should only be given to unknown veterans.
Tillman’s own mother, Mary, told DailyMail.com last month that she was “shocked” that the ESPYs would select “such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” adding that she had not been consulted about the decision.
“There are recipients that are much more appropriate. There are people who work in the veteran community who are doing wonderful things to help veterans,” she said.
“These people don’t have the money, the resources, the connections or the privileges that Prince Harry has. I think these people need to be recognised.”
Meghan and Serena, who first became close after meeting at a Super Bowl party in 2010, were spotted backstage when they reunited after Harry accepted his award
Prince Harry also jumped in for a photo with the two women
During his acceptance speech, Prince Harry paid a moving tribute to Princess Diana when he noted that “the bond between a mother and son is eternal”
The award is named after Pat Tillman, the iconic NFL player who gave up his lucrative career to join the Army after 9/11, before being killed in Afghanistan in 2004.
The latest negative reactions came almost immediately after ESPN announced on June 27 that Harry would receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
A petition urging ESPN to reconsider its decision was signed by nearly 68,000 people in ten days.
It read: ‘Pat Tillman was an example of duty, honor and sacrifice.’
“He gave up a successful NFL career to serve his country after the 9/11 attacks and tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Awarding this honor to someone who does not reflect the intent of the award diminishes its value and is a disrespect to Tillman’s memory.”
ESPN, the organization that organizes the ESPYs, stood by its decision in a statement, saying it honored Harry for the work he did for veterans during his Invictus Games.
“ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, honors Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of the Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary promoting healing through the power of sport for service members and veterans around the world,” the statement said.
“While we understand that not everyone will agree with all of the nominees for an award, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”